William Asher Exline

William Asher Exline August 16, 1922 to May 11, 2006 Our beloved father departed this life after a long illness on Saturday, May 20th, 20006 at Aldersley House in San Rafael. He leaves behind his children, Gregory, Timothy (Stephanie), daughter Merianne Barry and daughter-in-law Diana Exline. He was proud grandfather "Papa Will" to Matthew (Angela), Nathan (Melissa), Alyssa (Brandon), Nicholas, Conner, and Will. He also had two beautiful great grand children, Sophia and Henry. Preceding him in death was his wife of 51 years, Anne (d.1994) and his beloved oldest son Christopher (Diana) who passed away suddenly on April 11th of this year. Bill, as he was called by all, was born in Momence, Illinois August 16th, 1922, one of four children born to George H. (d.1969) and Addie Nell Sadler Exline (d.1926). He had two sisters, Mary (d.1943) and Margaret Beck (d.1999), and a brother Harry (d.2005). After the death of his mother when he was the tender age of four, his father was remarried to Mary Welch in 1931. She lovingly raised the four children and Bill was devoted to her until her death in 1994. The family moved to Hayward, CA where Bill graduated from Hayward High School. In 1942 he enlisted in the military and served as a paratrooper with 11th Airborne. He served in the Philippine islands, participating in the landing at Leyte as well as the invasion of Luzon that freed many prisoners of war. He received a purple heart when he crashed into the canopy of another parachute, ending his active service. After his honorary discharge, he remained active in the 11th Airborne Association, serving in many positions including President of the Western States Chapter. It was while he was at Fort Benning In Georgia that he met his wife Anne at a USO Dance. They were married in Nashville, TN in 1943. Bill and Anne settled in Petaluma and began their family. It was there in 1946 that he began a career in radio broadcasting that would be the love of his life. Bill's career in radio and television spanned every aspect of the business, from disc jockey, marketing and sales, to station manager. His work took him and the family up and down the West Coast. His knowledge and experience in broadcasting was valued by many of those he worked with, earning him a sterling reputation in the industry. In 1964, the family finally settled in Terra Linda. In the early 1970s he opened his own company, William A. Exline Inc. Media Brokerage and Consulting. His business grew to include two business partners, and 12 western states, plus Hawaii and Alaska. He sold the business and retired in 1990, but his love of radio never waned. His retirement allowed him to follow his other passions -- his GMC motor coach and music. He belonged to the GMC Western States, among other RV clubs, and traveled with them as often as he could. His love of music came in part from his beautiful singing voice. His special love was Barbershop Quartets; he sang with several groups in the early years and went to competitions and concerts as often as he could. Bill moved to Aldersley House in 2003. He enjoyed all the people there, especially Boris the cat. As his health failed and he required more nursing care, the staff at Aldersley cared for him and treated him like he was one of their own family. We cannot thank them enough for their kind and compassionate care. Bill passed onto his family his great love of traveling, his gift of music, and all his love. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, May 27th at 2:00 p.m., The Aldersley House, in Hendrix Hall, 326 Mission Avenue San Rafael. Memorial contributions may be made to: Nevada Reno Foundation, Christopher Exline Geography Scholarship, Mail Stop 162, Reno, NV 89557 (In honor of his son who passed way in April) OR to The American Cancer Society.